Tuesday, July 26, 2016

It is important for us to learn how to better support our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual/ Ally, plus, peers, family, friends, and colleagues. This is an all too often oppressed group. Check out the link below to learn more about what you can do to help!
http://www.glsen.org/
If you identify as LGBTQA Plus and are experiencing social and/or mental health challenges, call Psychological Health Roanoke at 540-772-5140 to schedule an appointment with a skilled and compassionate licensed clinician.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Check out the article located at the link below to learn more about the dangers of fear and insecurity being present in relationships. This article may help give you some insight so you can make necessary changes to better your relationships with others. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with relationships, please call our office at 540-772-5140 to schedule an appointment with a licensed clinician. We are here to help you better yourself and your interactions with others. We send well wishes! Psychological Health Roanoke Team
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/prevent-fear-insecurity-ruining-relationship/

Check out the article located at the link below to learn more about the dangers of fear and insecurity being present in relationships. This article may help give you some insight so you can make necessary changes to better your relationships with others. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with relationships, please call our office at 540-772-5140 to schedule an appointment with a licensed clinician. We are here to help you better yourself and your interactions with others. We send well wishes! Psychological Health Roanoke Team
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/prevent-fear-insecurity-ruining-relationship/

Thursday, June 30, 2016

http://kidshealth.org/
Check out the above link for health related information for your child and family. This include physical and mental health information. If your child or teen is in need of psychological health services, give us a call at 540-772-5140 to set up an appointment. We are ready to help your child and your family!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety and/ or depression, check out the below link for facts, personal stories, and resources.
http://www.adaa.org/
If you or someone you know needs assistance with anxiety and/or depression, call Psychological Health Roanoke at 540-772-5140 to schedule an appointment with a skilled, compassionate licensed provider. Competent clinicians are available to help you reclaim your happiness.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Child abuse and neglect is a widespread issue that affects children and families for life. At times, the abuse and neglect lead to children losing their lives. We often turn a blind eye to child abuse, because we are afraid to cause a problem. Know it's better to cause a problem than to allow a child to be hurt. Go to the link below to educate yourself about child abuse and neglect. You may also find resources and ways to become actively involved. Together we can make a difference!

Monday, March 28, 2016

PTSD is a condition that affects many. Some of the individuals affected are individuals working in emergency services. These folks often have to compartmentalize their thoughts and feelings of traumatic events so that they can keep doing their jobs; however, this can cause significant psychological distress. Please go to the link below to see information on PTSD from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). If you or someone you know is living with symptoms of PTSD, please call Psychological Health Roanoke at 540-772-5140 for help.

Monday, February 15, 2016

February is American Heart Month sponsored by The American Heart Association. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 1 in 4 deaths occurs due to heart disease each year. Health conditions do not only affect us physically, but also mentally and emotionally. For more information and resources, please see the information located at the links below.

http://healthfinder.gov/nho/februarytoolkit.aspx

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

If you are experiencing difficulty coping with a health condition, please call our office at 540-772-5140 to schedule an appointment with a licensed professional who has the training and education to help you better manage your condition.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Depression is a condition that no one is immune to. It can
affect anyone of any age, from any socioeconomic status, gender, race,
ethnicity, or culture. Depression can be mild to major and can negatively
impact all parts of a person’s life. Relationships can feel more difficult and
not feel as joyful, job tasks can feel extremely challenging and more difficult
to complete than usual, and a person experiencing depression may isolate
themselves from others when they wouldn’t typically do so. In this newsletter
you will find signs of depression, causes, risk factors, and treatment options.
A person does not have to have all of the symptoms listed to be experiencing
depression.

Signs of depression: (References 1 and 2)

Ongoing sadness, tearfulness, anxiousness, and/or
feeling of emptiness. Some people find themselves thinking, I am really “emotional”
lately; Ongoing negative thoughts and thought process;Feeling hopelessness, helplessness and guilt; Loss of interest in activities that used to be
enjoyable; Feeling more tired than usual, which seems
persistent; Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making
decisions; Persistent sleep problems. In severe cases,
difficulty getting any sleep or trouble getting out of bed; Moving more slowly than usual;Fixation on past mistakes; Feeling responsible or accountable for things
that are not within a person’s control; Changes in appetite and weight. Some people
overeat and some don’t eat enough when feeling depressed; Thoughts of death or suicide; Suicide attempts; Easily irritated, agitated, and having anger
outbursts; Difficulty sitting still and focusing; Unexplained pain in the body. Sometimes described
as aching and/or widespread pain.

Causes of Depression: (Reference 1)

1.Biological: This is not completely understood,
but it is know people who are depressed experience physical changes in their
brain.

2.Brain Chemistry: Think of this as electric
circuits in the brain not transmitting the needed amount of energy, resulting
in feeling depressed.

3.Hormones: Changes in hormones affects how a
person feels. A common hormone for women is estrogen and for men is
testosterone. Thyroid problems can also cause depression.

4.Genetics: This is undergoing more research,
though it is known depression can affect more than one person related by blood.

No matter what the cause, it is important for a person to be
evaluated for medical reasons causing their depression. Often times, men have
much more difficulty asking for help than women. Depression is not anything to
be ashamed of. It is just like any other illness. If a person has diabetes, we
would expect them to see a doctor. The same needs to be expected of someone
with depression.

Treatment Options: (Reference 1)

1.Psychotherapy. This is typically on an
outpatient basis; however, for more severe cases and stabilization this may be
done in an inpatient hospital setting. A person receiving this service in a hospital
will most likely be referred for outpatient psychotherapy after discharge. Psychotherapy
may be performed by Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social
Workers, or Licensed Professional Counselors. Psychotherapy is known for
helping individuals explore the impact of their thoughts on how they feel and
behave. The human brain is able to change in structure through the
psychotherapy process.

2.Medications may also be prescribed by your
doctor for treatment of depression. Some primary care physicians are comfortable
treating less complicated/ severe depression. If you are experiencing a moderate
to severe case of depression, you may benefit more from services from a
Psychiatrist. A Psychiatrist is especially trained in working with mental and
emotional challenges and medication treatment.

3.Other treatment options may include nutritional and
supplement support. Treatments focusing on the “mind-body” connection, such as “acupuncture,
yoga or tai chi, meditation, guided imagery, massage therapy, music or art
therapy, spirituality”/ spiritual support, and “aerobic exercise” are also
known for helping support recovery from depression.

Your healthcare professional may recommend all or part of
the above treatment/ recovery support options depending on your specific needs,
preferences, and available resources. “Mind-body” treatments are not typically
used as the primary treatment for depression, but may be used in conjunction
with psychotherapy and/or medication.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

With the New Year, a lot of us often set goals for
ourselves. The “resolutions” can involve the amount of time we’ll spend at
work, with our family and friends, how we would like to change how we manage
stress and other difficult life situations, to making goals to be healthy and
physically active. Ask any gym employee where they see the heaviest spike in
membership and they’ll tell you the month of January.

Reevaluation the past and setting goals for the future is a
healthy way to improve our quality of life. When focusing on the goal of
increase physical activity and focusing more on our health, we must remember
life is a journey and not a literal sprint. Making realistic goals and working
at a steady pace will help you make long lasting changes that go beyond the
month of January that you can carry with you through life.

Throughout the rest of this newsletter, you will find the
benefits of incorporating regular physical activity into your lifestyle.
Physical activity does not have to be something we dread. It can be something
we enjoy and reap the benefits from for our entire lives.